Week 2 Fantasy Hockey Planner

Week 2 (Oct. 12-18)

Teams playing four games: Chicago, Colorado, Los Angeles, Nashville
Teams playing three games: Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, Dallas, Detroit, Edmonton, Minnesota, New Jersey, N.Y. Islanders. N.Y. Rangers, Ottawa, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Washington
Teams playing two games: Anaheim, Atlanta, Carolina, Columbus, Florida, Montreal, St. Louis, Vancouver
Teams playing one game: Philadelphia

Atlantic Division

Islanders left wing Matt Moulson, who played in just 29 NHL games before signing with New York in the offseason, has opened the season on a line with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. He has three points (one goal) in two games. Speaking of Tavares, the No. 1 pick in 2009, he is off to a fast start as well. He is tied with Moulson for the team lead with three points. It seems Tavares could quickly become a must-start Fantasy option ... Rangers rookie forward Evgeny Grachev was returned to Hartford of the AHL on Friday after his recall on Thursday. Grachev, who remains just a long-term Fantasy keeper, was a healthy scratch against the Capitals ... Talk about money well spent. Rangers right wing Marian Gaborik, who signed a five-year deal in the offseason, has a team-high four goals and six points in four games ... Flyers forward Scott Hartnell might face a suspension for allegedly biting the finger of Penguins defenseman Kris Letang during Thursday's game. A ruling could come before Week 2 ... Flyers forwards Mike Richards and Jeff Carter have both been extremely efficient to begin the season. They have tallied a point in each of the first four games and are tied with Matt Carle for the team lead with seven. Richards leads the squad with five goals and Carter is second with four ... Penguins defenseman Alex Goligoski is tied with Evgeni Malkin for the team lead with four points ... Penguins center Jordan Staal moved to Malkin's line on Thursday and netted a goal against the Flyers. While it's not permanent, coach Dan Bylsma said he would consider putting Staal with Malkin in the future.
Injury report: Devils left wing Patrik Elias (groin) has started skating and is targeting an Oct. 29 return. It's still safe to keep him reserved for Week 2 ... Devils defenseman Paul Martin had a sore knee after a hit from Rangers center Chris Drury on Monday, but he looked fine Thursday against the Lightning ... Islanders captain Doug Weight made his debut Thursday against the Senators after sitting out the opener with a groin injury. It's safe to keep him active as a low-end Fantasy option ... Rangers left wing Sean Avery, who has missed the first four games with a knee injury, is hoping to make his debut Sunday against the Ducks. If he can't, he remains an injury-risk start for Week 2 ... Flyers center Blair Betts is out four weeks with a dislocated right shoulder ... Rookie left wing James vanRiemsdyk is day to day with a concussion. Consider him an injury-risk start for Week 2 if he is not back Saturday against the Ducks.
Favorable matchup: N.Y. Rangers (TOR, LA, @TOR). The Maple Leafs are tied for 28th in goals-against-average (4.00) and the Kings are dead last (4.33). The Rangers also play twice on home ice, where they are averaging 5.00 goals per game.
Unfavorable matchup: Philadelphia (@FLA). This is pretty self explanatory. The Flyers are the only team with one game in Week 2. It is a favorable matchup, but you should really consider starting other players that at least have two games.

Northeast Division

Bruins left wing Marco Sturm, who shifted to his off wing to play on the top line with Marc Savard and Milan Lucic, has scored in his last two games. Sturm has taken the spot of Phil Kessel, who was traded to Toronto prior to the season ... Sabres right wing Drew Stafford is back on the top line with Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek after opening the year playing with Matt Ellis and Patrick Kaleta ... The Sabres have seven more games to play rookie Tyler Myers before deciding whether to keep him or send him back to his junior club. All signs point to keeping the 19-year-old defenseman since he has been one of their best defenders through two games ... Disgruntled Canadiens forward Sergei Kostitsyn has accepted his assignment to Hamilton (AHL). However, he is still hoping the Canadiens will trade him ... Surprisingly, Canadiens left winger Mike Cammalleri doesn't have a goal in his first four games. He has taken 15 shots in that span ... The Senators have been very pleased with the play of defenseman Matt Carkner, who was considered a long shot coming into training camp. He not only made the roster, but has been effective at both ends of the ice and has two points (one goal) in three games. Ottawa has been very pleased with Carkner's progression ... Despite winning two straight games, Senators head coach Cory Clouston has decided to alter his top scoring line. He has dropped Daniel Alfredsson to the second line with Mike Fisher and Alexei Kovalev, while promoting Nick Foligno to the first line with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. Clouston is hoping Spezza can get on track shortly since he has one assist and a minus-2 rating in three games ... Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson has talked about playing defenseman Ian White at right wing on some nights since he has a logjam of blueliners. It might not be such a bad idea since White had some great offensive nights last season as a forward... Maple Leafs forward Matt Stajan has a team-high three goals in three games.
Injury report: The Canadiens had a rough opening week. They lost star defenseman Andrei Markov at least four months after he sliced a tendon in his ankle during the opener. Then, defenseman Ryan O'Byrne injured his knee in the second game and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Montreal signed free-agent defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron in an attempt to help bridge the gap. Bergeron is on a conditioning stint in the AHL, so don't activate him just yet in Fantasy. However, he could be a sleeper Fantasy option since he is pretty good offensive blueliner ... Senators center Ryan Shannon (upper body) has returned to practice. Consider him a low-risk start for Week 2. Teammate Filip Kuba (lower body) is not back at practice and might only resume skating on Sunday. He is a bigger risk for the upcoming scoring period ... Maple Leafs backup goalie Jonas Gustavsson has been placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. He is expected to be out at least a week. Joey MacDonald has been recalled from the minors to take his place ... Maple Leafs rookie winger Viktor Stalberg, who has seen first-line minutes, is day to day with an undisclosed injury. He is a risky start for Week 2.
Favorable matchup: Buffalo (DET, NYI, ATL). The Sabres get to stay home all week during the upcoming scoring period. They averaged 3.00 goals per game at home last season. While Atlanta has gotten off to a strong start defensively in 2009-10, the Islanders and Red Wings are allowing 3.00 or more goals per game.
Unfavorable matchup: Toronto (@NYR, COL, NYR). While the Maple Leafs are desperately trying to get their season jump started, their Week 2 schedule isn't going to help. They have to face the Rangers twice -- and that means potentially playing goalie Henrik Lundqvist twice -- and Colorado, which has gotten off to a surprisingly good start. Both teams are in the top 10 for defense and allowing 2.50 or fewer goals per game. Toronto also averaged just 2.50 goals in four games against New York last season.

Southeast Division

Thrashers left wing Ilya Kovalchuk is up to his old tricks. He has a pair of two-goal games in his first two outings and leads Atlanta with five points. However, his offensive game was never in question. Kovalchuk was always a liability on defense, but he has been much improved in that area in the early season and could finished above even for the first time in his eight-year career ... Thrashers center Marty Reasoner was demoted to the fourth line between Eric Boulton and Chris Thorburn on Thursday against the Blues. It was not because of poor play but rather improved depth at center since the free-agent signing of Nik Antropov. Unfortunately, Reasoner's ice time was cut by three minutes. He still played a lot during short-handed time ... Thrashers rookie forward Evander Kane is making it tough on Atlanta to send him back to his junior team. After he picked up his first career goal against St. Louis, Kane has a point in each of his first two games and a plus-2 rating ... The Panthers have signed free-agent center Dominic Moore to a one-year contract. Moore will provide Florida with ample depth at center, but he currently is behind Stephen Weiss and Steve Reinprecht on the depth chart. Perhaps we can't expect the same offensive output as Moore provided during his breakout season in 2008-09 ... The Panthers have given defenseman Ville Koistinen some time as a fourth-line forward to take advantage of his offensive skills. It seems to be paying off since Koistinen has a goal in his first two games. Remember, his biggest hurdle in Nashville was never getting enough playing time ... Lightning rookie defenseman Victor Hedman, who was the second pick in the 2009 NHL draft, is leading the team in ice time (25:39) and has three assists in three games. He is having an easier time with the transition to the NHL since he played a few seasons in the Swedish Elite League ... Washington coach Bruce Boudreau has moved defenseman Tyler Sloan to the left wing. Sloan made some good plays Thursday against the Rangers and managed an assist ... The Capitals' top line of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin has been unconscious in the first four games. Every player has at least nine points and Ovechkin and Semin both have five goals. Backstrom leads the team with 10 points and a plus-6 rating.
Injury report: Thrashers lost enforcer Boris Valabik for at least four weeks after he injured his ankle. That has opened a spot on the blue line for Christoph Schubert ... Thrashers forward Colby Armstrong is back in the lineup after missing one game with a lower-body injury ... Hurricanes forward Erik Cole is out 4-6 weeks after suffering a fracture in his lower left leg. The injury has prompted coach Paul Maurice to put Sergei Samsonov and Tuomo Ruutu on the top line with Eric Staal, while Ray Whitney is now on the second like with Matt Cullen and Chad LaRose ... Defenseman Joni Pitkanen is day to day with a knee injury. He is getting close to a return after leaving Tuesday's game against the Lightning with stiffness and soreness in his surgically-repaired knee. However, Pitkanen is probably a risky Fantasy start until he proves healthy and productive ... Panthers backup goalie Scott Clemmensen has been away from the team for personal reasons, but he is expected to be back before the next scoring period ... Lightning defenseman Kurtis Foster is expected to be in the lineup Saturday against the Hurricanes after missing two games with a lower-body injury. A team doctor said he can play as long as he can tolerate discomfort, meaning he probably isn't 100 percent. Consider Foster a risky start until he starts producing.
Favorable matchup: Washington (NJ, SJ, NSH). The schedule might look daunting, but the great equalizer for the Capitals is their home ice. Washington was fifth in the league in home GFA last season (3.46) and already have nine goals in two home games this season.
Unfavorable matchup: Carolina (PIT, @NJ). The Hurricanes are going to have to bring their A-game in Week 2 if they want to sweep the Penguins and Devils. Carolina didn't have a lot of luck against either squad last season, averaging 2.75 or fewer goals. The fact they might have to face Marc-Andre Fleury and Martin Brodeur also remains a daunting task.

Central Division

Blackhawks center Patrick Sharp has a goal in each of the first three games and five points total. He is enjoying his time on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg ... While the Blue Jackets believe Derick Brassard will still be a No. 1 center, he is struggling and that has prompted Columbus to demote him to the second line. Antoine Vermette has been promoted to the top line with Kristian Huselius and Rick Nash. The hope is that Brassard will see more favorable matchups -- both opposing centers and defensemen -- on the second line to get his confidence up ... The Red Wings have replaced struggling defenseman Brett Lebda with Derek Meech, who is now paired with Jonathan Ericsson ... Blues forward Keith Tkachuk has managed a point in each of the first three games and has six total (three goals). The 18-year vet is off to a fast start, but he did this same thing last season before fading quickly after a great October.
Injury report: Already down tough guy Adam Burish (knee), the Blackhawks lost another enforcer in Ben Eager (upper body) to injured reserve. However, his injury is not long term like Burish, who is out for the regular season ... Blackhawks center Dave Bolland sat out Thursday against the Red Wings due to a lingering back injury. He is expected back in the lineup Saturday against the Avalanche, however, it seems he might not be 100 percent for quite a while ... Columbus right wing Jared Boll (head) and defenseman Mike Commodore (groin) remain day to day ... The Red Wings released some unpleasant news Friday when they announced forward Johan Franzen will be out at least four months with a torn ACL. It is the last thing they wanted to hear after losing Marian Hossa and Jiri Hudler in free agency. Fantasy owners can probably cut bait with Franzen since he could miss the rest of the season ... Red Wings center Darren Helm, who has been out all season with a shoulder injury, has resumed skating and is hoping to play Tuesday against the Sabres. He is still not a recommended start for Week 2 ... The Predators are taking a cautious approach with J.P. Dumont (head). Despite having been cleared of all tests, Dumont is still not at 100 percent and hasn't resumed skating. He might be held out another week, so keep him reserved for the upcoming scoring period. Patric Hornqvist moved to the top line Thursday against the Avalanche and scored twice, including the game winner. He is tied for the team lead with four points ... Blues defenseman Barret Jackman has been placed on IR with a sprained ankle.
Favorable matchup: Chicago (CGY, EDM, @NSH, DAL). The only team that isn't allowing at least 3.00 goals per game is Nashville, Chicago's lone road trip next week. The Blackhawks are also averaging 3.00 goals per game at home this season.
Unfavorable matchup: Detroit (@BUF, LA, COL). While the Red Wings do get to face the worst defense in the NHL in Los Angeles (4.33 GAA), they also square off against the top two defenses -- Buffalo (1.50) and Colorado (1.67). It could be a rollercoaster week for Detroit as they look for scoring help to make up for the loss of Franzen.

Northwest Division

The Flames added some depth to their blue line with the acquisition of Aaron Johnson in a Wednesday trade with the Blackhawks ... Flames stars Olli Jokinen and Jarome Iginla have combined for one goal and three assists in four games ... Oilers forwards Dustin Penner and Jean-Francois Jacques continue to split time on the left wing of the top line alongside Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky ... Even though he was awful in a 6-3 loss to the Kings on Thursday, the Wild remain committed to getting backup goalie Josh Harding more involved this season. However, that doesn't mean starter Niklas Backstrom is in jeopardy of losing his job. Although, he might lose a few extra starts this year ... Wild forward Benoit Pouliot, the fourth pick in the 2005 NHL draft, is already in first-year coach Todd Richards' doghouse. Richards has admitted Pouliot has second-line talent, but has the young forward on the fourth line since he is unreliable in his own zone and is not providing enough energy and physical play ... It's more bad news for Canucks prospect Cody Hodgson. After being reassigned to his junior hockey club, Hodgson has sought out a second opinion on his aching back and is out of action until November. Hodgson remains nothing more than a long-term Fantasy keeper ... After an impressive training camp, rookie forward Sergei Shirokov was the complete opposite to start the season and earned an early demotion to the AHL. Mason Raymond has replaced Shirokov on the second line alongside Mikael Samuelsson and Ryan Kesler ... Canucks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff is off to a fine start with his new club. Ehrhoff, acquired in a trade with San Jose over the summer, has one goal and four points in four games.
Injury report: Flames defenseman Cory Sarich remains day to day with a foot injury ... Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson was battling groin soreness after winning his first two starts of the season. He was able to remain in the lineup Thursday against the Predators, but fell short of a third-straight victory thanks to a third-period collapse. However, it does appear safe to keep Anderson active as a No. 2 Fantasy goalie ... The Oilers lost two players to concussions Thursday against the Flames -- defensemen Sheldon Souray and Steve Staios. The most concerning of the two is Souray, who is an elite Fantasy defenseman when healthy. Both players are listed as day to day, but also remain injury-risk options for Week 2, if not back by the weekend ... Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard is sidelined indefinitely because of recurring headaches. The team believes they are related to a preseason illness and not from last season's devastating concussion. Either way, Bouchard is not a recommended Fantasy start for Week 2.
Favorable matchup: Minnesota (@ANA, @EDM, @VAN). While Minnesota is still trying to iron out their scoring issues on the road, a situation that plagued them in 2008-09, it helps they face three teams struggling early on defense. Anaheim, Edmonton and Vancouver are all allowing 3.00 or more goals per game.
Unfavorable matchup: Vancouver (@CGY, MIN). The Canucks have two intense divisional games on the docket in Week 2. It doesn't help that they have to play both games on consecutive nights and possibly face Miikka Kiprusoff and Niklas Backstrom.

Pacific Division

Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski has a team-high four assists thanks to consecutive two-assist games ... Stars left wing Brenden Morrow scored his first two goals of the season Tuesday against the Oilers. Morrow hadn't scored before then since Nov. 20, 2008, when he suffered his season-ending ACL injury ... The Kings are tied with Atlanta for the league lead in offense (5.00 GFA). The Kings have scored 15 goals through three games. That's the highest total for their first three games since 1995-96, when they had 17. Last season, the Kings didn't score their 15th goal until the sixth game. A lot of their success has to do with the play of Ryan Smyth and Anze Kopitar. The duo have combined for six goals and 14 points ... The return of Sean O'Donnell from a five-game suspension prompted coach Terry Murray to alter his defensive pairings Thursday against the Wild. O'Donnell played with Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson with Rob Scuderi and Matt Greene with Davis Drewiske. The Kings allowed just 29 shots and one even-strength goal ... Due to the Kings' crowded blue line, defenseman Peter Harrold has been seeing time as a fourth-line winger ... Defenseman Adrian Aucoin has been a key free-agent addition for the Coyotes, especially on the power play. He has a power-play point in two straight games and is doing a great job of getting the puck to his teammates that are camped out in the crease ... Coyotes forward Shane Doan has taken just six shots in three games and has yet to score. Fellow forward Matthew Lombardi has taken just five shots, however, has been much more successful. He has two goals and is converting at a team-high 40 percent ... The trade of Dany Heatley is already paying huge dividends for the Sharks. Heatley had his first hat trick of the season Thursday against the Blue Jackets and also finished at plus-6. In four games, the top line of Heatley, Joe Thornton and Devin Setoguchi has nine goals and 23 points.
Injury report: Ducks forward Joffrey Lupul has remained in the lineup despite needing 14 stitches to seal a cut above his right eyebrow suffered Tuesday against the Wild. He has three points (one goal) in three games ... Stars right wing Jere Lehtinen (hip, groin) is practicing with the team but remains day to day ... Stars center Mike Modano (ribs) might be able to return during Week 2, but he is still not worth the risk in Fantasy ... Coyotes winger Petr Prucha is day to day after suffering a head injury Thursday against the Sabres. He was at practice Friday but did not skate ... Sharks center Joe Pavelski is out at least two weeks with a lower-body injury. That has prompted coach Todd McLellan to shake up his second line. Patrick Marleau has moved to center, Ryane Clowe to the left wing and Jamie McGinn has been promoted to the right wing.
Favorable matchup: Los Angeles (@NYI, @NYR, @DET, @CLB). Although Los Angeles hits the road for four games in Week 2, we are going to ride the hot hand. On top of averaging 5.00 goals per game, the Rangers are the only team the Kings will face that isn't allowing 3.00 or more goals per contest.
Unfavorable matchup: Dallas (NSH, BOS, @CHI). The Stars are set to face two of the top defenses in the NHL -- Nashville (2.00 GAA) and Chicago (2.00). Although the Bruins have gotten off to a slow start, they are still a threat with Tim Thomas in net.

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